2.8L M20 build - Now with 2.7L!

[TurboJake]

3 or 4 out of the 6 journals were perfect. Don't remember which ones exactly though. I was wondering if it was already undersized but it wouldn't make sense for someone to cut down only 2 or 3 of the journals lol

It costs more. 99% of people are cheapasses when it comes to maintaining vehicles.

That right there is explanation enough if it happened. It's cheaper to turn down only a couple and it's cheaper to buy only a couple oversize bearings.

The vast majority of people will always seek out the cheapest way to keep something running.

[whodwho]

3 or 4 out of the 6 journals were perfect. Don't remember which ones exactly though. I was wondering if it was already undersized but it wouldn't make sense for someone to cut down only 2 or 3 of the journals lol

ahh, I though you only checked the bad ones. Nobody would turn a partial set of journals, sounds like you are out of options...

[acolella76]

Out of options as in... have the journals machined down? Or new crank?

[whodwho]

Having to pull it either way :)

Not sure the going rate to have one turned but you can pick up cranks pretty reasonable now days.

[acolella76]

I know they aren't too expensive but I'm pretty sure the cost of oversize bearings + having a crank turned down would be a lot cheaper than buying a new M52 crank and having the counterweights machined down and balanced again! If it comes down to buying another crank I am going to pull the block and have it decked 2mm to run the M20B25 pistons with the 81mm crank.

Also not looking forward to taking that front crank nut and trans off again :p

[ForcedFirebird]

It costs more. 99% of people are cheapasses when it comes to maintaining vehicles.

That right there is explanation enough if it happened. It's cheaper to turn down only a couple and it's cheaper to buy only a couple oversize bearings.

The vast majority of people will always seek out the cheapest way to keep something running.

You have no idea, although, I will say they will generally turn down the mains and rods to different specs, but won't often do rod pins in different sizes since you have to double up on the bearing kits you need to buy, it's not cost effective in the end to do it that way.

Alex, don't turn the crank in an inline 6. Turning and polishing is going to run you $40-60 per journal, not so bad on a v8 that has 4 pins, but get's pricey on even fire v6 and inline since they have 6 individual rod journals, a v8 has shared pins, therefore, having 4 rod dowels (usually $250 for a v8).

[acolella76]

So what would you say my options are at this point? New crank?

[ForcedFirebird]

have the current one spec'd.

[acolella76]

Well I will try to get that crank to a machine shop as soon as possible. If cost is the only reason not to have the crank turned I will probably just have the rod journals turned.

Need to figure out why there is horrible compression in the 2nd cylinder as well. Rings, pistons, and cylinder wall all look normal.

[ForcedFirebird]

You need to pull the head if the compression numbers don't change when you squirt oil in the cyls as that generally means you have a bad valve (or two).

[acolella76]

Head is already off and the valves look like they are sealing pretty well :(

[ForcedFirebird]

Shut the lights off and put a flashlight in the port. If you don't see anything that way, pour some alcohol, gas or other thin agent in the port with th head sitting so the valve should hold it. Clean paper towel under the valve should show any seepage. Compression that low means a bent/burnt/unseated valve if there's oil in the cyl during comp test.

Think about it, man, that compression is escaping somewhere ;)

[TurboJake]

You have no idea, although, I will say they will generally turn down the mains and rods to different specs, but won't often do rod pins in different sizes since you have to double up on the bearing kits you need to buy, it's not cost effective in the end to do it that way.

I know exactly well. I have my ASE P2 (Which is a Joke of a cert) and was the commercial parts pro for NAPA and Advance auto parts over the span of 5 years. I not only dealt with cheapass retail customers, but cheapass commercial customers being governed by cheapass retail customers. I know of only one shop in the greater wausau area that actually does the whole job correctly and well using good parts, regardless of make or model.

BUT!

That very situation popped up from a company around here who shall remain nameless because they're very aggressive and I don't feel like defending against a slander lawsuit. I had to deal with the aftermath of an angry customer who wasn't angry with me. All I could tell them is it was pretty much their fault for trying to do it as cheap as possible. They didn't take kindly to it but eventually agreed. Hopefully they learned.


I will agree with you. It's a pain in the royal ass to get get bearings of multiple sizes, but it does happen. You can buy single rod bearings for a lot of engines out there instead of kits, and I have watched people do it. So it's never a situation that's out of the realm of possibility.

[whodwho]

So you are saying that you know of a company that will only machine a couple rod journals of a crank undersize?!?

There is no reason they would turn just one down if it is already chucked up to turn any. Just the fact that it would throw the crank out of balance should be enough to see why they wouldn't.

The dealer(possibly others) sells single pairs of rod bearings with different color codes for the same size journals with slight size variances, not because somebody turned down one journal...

[deutschman]

Man I am sorry you are having problems with your m20. Hope it all works out for you. It is all a learning proses ha?
Hope mine works out for me.